Casey’s Ryder Cup hope after European return

GOLF: Englishman says he has missed not being member of European Tour

Paul Casey believes he can make a “massive contribution” to Europe’s bid to regain the Ryder Cup next year after opting to rejoin the European Tour.

Casey, who is based mainly in Arizona, gave up his membership after deciding to concentrate on the PGA Tour in order to get back into the world’s top 50.

The move has paid off with the former world number three climbing from 75th at the end of 2014 to his current position of 15th, but it meant he was ineligible for the biennial contest with the United States.

That will change when the 40-yearold rejoins the European Tour at the start of the 2017-2018 season late next month.

His first appearance is set for the Abu Dhabi Championship – an event he has won twice – in January.

“I’ve missed it and it’s always bothered me slightly not being a member,” Casey said via a teleconference during the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

“It’s now doubly difficult being a father of two but I spoke long and hard with Pollyanna (his wife) about the decision and I think ultimately the biggest thing about making this decision is I’m avoiding the regret of not doing this.

“I want to play another Ryder Cup and that’s why I need to do this. I genuinely can’t tell you how excited I am and how cool it is to think about the possibility of that next September, for multiple reasons.

“I feel like obviously the golf I’ve played the last few years, I feel I can make a massive contribution on the golf course.

“I still feel I’ve got another very good three, four, five years in me, of really good stuff.”

Casey played in the record nine-point wins in 2004 and 2006 and the defeat at Valhalla in 2008, but was in tears after being overlooked for a wild card by captain Colin Montgomerie in 2010 when he was ranked seventh in the world.

Former team-mate Justin Rose believes that was a factor in Casey giving up his membership and “left a bit of a scar”, but Casey insists that was not so.

“I love a great conspiracy theory, but that’s rubbish,” he added. “It had nothing to do with it whatsoever.

“The number of events that we were required to play by both tours at that time made it very difficult to play both tours well and I suffered. My game wasn’t there to do both successfully.

“And then with Lex being born I had a new priority, which was my family, plain and simple.”

Casey needs to play just four tournaments, outside the majors and World Golf Championship events, to maintain his membership and praised the influence of European captain Thomas Bjorn in making his decision.

“Thomas has been a massive support,” Casey added. “He’s assisted in me making the decision with his confidence and his backing of me and my game, but he also hasn’t crowded me.

“I sent Thomas a congratulatory message on his appointment and our conversations haven’t stopped since.”